Work In Progress - The BFDG Podcast

BFDG
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Arts

Podcasts from the British Film Designers Guild, discussing all things Art Department and Production Design for the UK Film and TV industry.

  1. 18h ago

    Designing an Award Winning Commercial

    In this episode of Work in Progress, we’re celebrating our 15th Production Design Award winners by stepping into the fast-paced, high-pressure world of commercial design. PD Will Htay chats with Jonathan Paul Green about the mind-bending challenges, tight deadlines, and creative triumphs behind his spectacular Schweppes "Take your Time"/"Mission to Mars" commercial. Tune in to learn how to make a massive impact in just 30 seconds. WIP is a BFDG Podcast. Connect with us: Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild X: @BFDG_Film_Guild Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com About the BFDG The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members. The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.

    51 min

  2. May 6

    Building Frankenstein: Craft, Collaboration, and the Art of Production Design

    In the latest episode of Work in Progress, the British Film Designers Guild chair Jonathan Paul Green interviews the creative team behind Frankenstein—production designer Tamara Deverell, supervising art director Brandt Gordon, and set decorator Shane Vieau. The episode celebrates the film as the winning production in the Major Motion Picture – Period category at the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards. The team reflects on their varied career paths and collaborative dynamic, while detailing the intensive research and “real-for-real” craftsmanship behind the film’s Victorian and Arctic settings. They discuss logistical challenges, close collaboration with VFX, and the fast-paced demands of their director, while also sharing candid perspectives on AI and offering practical advice for emerging creatives. WIP is a BFDG Podcast. Connect with us: Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild X: @BFDG_Film_Guild Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com About the BFDG The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members. The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.

    51 min
  3. 15th BFDG Production Design Awards - Mark Kermode meets the winner of the Planet Positive Award and the award sponsor Sky Studios Elstree

    Mar 10

    15th BFDG Production Design Awards - Mark Kermode meets the winner of the Planet Positive Award and the award sponsor Sky Studios Elstree

    In the fourth episode featuring winners from the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards, Mark Kermode is talking to the winner of our groundbreaking Planet Positive Award, Stephanie Shires who worked as the Sustainability Coordinator on 'Down Cemetery Road'. Mark is also joined by the award sponsors Sky Studio Elstree who have a strong commitment to sustainable film-making.  Find out how sustainability on 'Down Cemetery Road' was ingrained in the entire creative process, how the production set out to reframe sustainable design as an act of preservation - considering the whole lifecycle of every asset with a holistic approach. Read more in the 'Down Cemetery Road' awards presentation HERE Find out more about the BFDG and how to join HERE Presented by: Mark Kermode With : Stephanie Shires - Sustainability Coordinator Matilda Wylie - Senior Client Services Manager, Sky Studios Elstree Peter Okell - Operations Manager, Sky Studios Elstree Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Edited by Benjamin Cook. Music: The Dodge Brothers This audio programme is an HLA Agency production for the British Film Designers Guild hedda@hlaagency.co.uk (c) HLA Agency WIP is a BFDG Podcast. Connect with us: Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild X: @BFDG_Film_Guild Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com About the BFDG The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members. The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.

    25 min
  4. 15th BFDG Production Design Awards - Mark Kermode meets the winners of the award for Best Production Design - Short Film

    Mar 10

    15th BFDG Production Design Awards - Mark Kermode meets the winners of the award for Best Production Design - Short Film

    In the third episode featuring winners from the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards, Mark Kermode is talking to Production Designer, Olavo Abrantes and Set Decorator, Eleanor Dolan about their designs for the short film 'Fishbrain'. Find out how the Art Department team on a short film often have to use their ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness to create the set when budgets are tight and why, if you are an aspiring Production Designer or Set Decorator, working on a short film is often a good place to learn the craft.  Find out more about the BFDG and how to join HERE Presented by: Mark Kermode With : Olavo Abrantes - Production Designer Eleanor Dolan - Set Decorator Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Edited by Benjamin Cook. Music: The Dodge Brothers This audio programme is an HLA Agency production for the British Film Designers Guild hedda@hlaagency.co.uk (c) HLA Agency WIP is a BFDG Podcast. Connect with us: Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild X: @BFDG_Film_Guild Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com About the BFDG The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members. The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.

    20 min
  5. 15th BFDG Production Design Awards - Mark meets Malcolm Stone, winner of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award

    Mar 1

    15th BFDG Production Design Awards - Mark meets Malcolm Stone, winner of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award

    In this special 15th Awards episode of Work in Progress, Mark Kermode speaks to Production Designer/Art Director/Set Decorator - Malcolm Stone the winner  of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as Emily Stillman, Snr Vice President of Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden who tells us why Warner Bros. are so proud to support the award again this year. Malcolm Stone has had a long and distinguished career working in Film and TV Art Departments. He tells how he found his way into a career in the industry and how it progressed to working on a wide range of fascinating projects from 'The Muppet Show' to 'Band of Brothers' whilst picking up awards and nominations along the way. Hosted by:  Mark Kermode With:  Malcolm Stone Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Music: The Dodge Brothers This audio programme is an HLA Agency production for the British Film Designers Guild hedda@hlaagency.co.uk (c) HLA Agency WIP is a BFDG Podcast. Connect with us: Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild X: @BFDG_Film_Guild Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com About the BFDG The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members. The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.

    25 min
  6. 15th BFDG Production Design Awards - Mark Kermode meets the nominees of the Peter Lamont Spotlighting New Talent Award

    Feb 16

    15th BFDG Production Design Awards - Mark Kermode meets the nominees of the Peter Lamont Spotlighting New Talent Award

    In this special 15th Awards episode of Work in Progress, we hear from the three young creatives who have been nominated for the Peter Lamont Spotlighting New Talent Award at the 15th BFDG Production Design Awards. They talk about their routes into the film industry, what they love about their jobs and give advice to anyone wanting to get into the Art Department. Mark is also joined by Rico Johnson-Sinclair, Director of CrewHQ Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden who run training courses that help young people gain valuable skills that prepare them for a career in film or TV. Find out more about the BFDG and how to join HERE Find out more about CrewHQ HERE Presented by: Mark Kermode With : Lola Fleming - Art Department Assistant Melissa Davis - Art Department Assistant Charlie McDonnell - Junior Draughtsperson Rico Johnson-Sinclair - Director of CrewHQ Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden  Executive Producer: Hedda Archbold Music: The Dodge Brothers This audio programme is an HLA Agency production for the British Film Designers Guild hedda@hlaagency.co.uk (c) HLA Agency WIP is a BFDG Podcast. Connect with us: Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild X: @BFDG_Film_Guild Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com About the BFDG The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members. The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.

    30 min
  7. The Art of Sustainability

    12/09/2025

    The Art of Sustainability

    Join Jonathan Paul Green for an insightful conversation on sustainable practice within the Art Department — a core passion for the BFDG and the driving force behind the annual Planet Positive Award. In this episode, Jonathan is joined by Production Designer Blair Barnette, along with Jimmy Keeping, Director and Co-founder of Sustainable Film, and Rhidian Davies, the company’s Client Services Manager. Together, they explore how to embed environmental responsibility into everyday filmmaking by empowering producers and crews. Presented by: Jonathan Paul Green - BFDG Chairperson Guests: Blair Barnette - Production Designer Jimmy Keeping - Director and Co-founder, Sustainable Film Rhidian Davies - Client Services Manager, Sustainable Film WIP is a BFDG Podcast. Connect with us: Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild X: @BFDG_Film_Guild Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com About the BFDG The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members. The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.

    59 min
  8. Designing Oz: Inside the World of Wicked with Nathan Crowley & Lee Sandales

    11/12/2025

    Designing Oz: Inside the World of Wicked with Nathan Crowley & Lee Sandales

    Go behind the scenes of Wicked like never before. In this episode of WIP, BFDG Chair Jonathan Paul Green sits down with the multi-award-winning creative team behind the film’s breathtaking world: Production Designer Nathan Crowley and Set Decorator Lee Sandales. From crafting extraordinary sets to literally growing thousands of tulips, they reveal how the magic was made. WIP is a BFDG Podcast. Connect with us: Instagram: @british_film_designers_guild X: @BFDG_Film_Guild Linkedin: @british-film-designers-guild Facebook: /British Film Designers Guild Website:www.britishfilmdesigners.com About the BFDG The Society of British Film Directors and Designers was founded in 1946. Out of this society grew the Guild of Film Art Directors, and the present British Film Designers Guild (BFDG). Today the BFDG has over 600 members of skilled technicians and designers spanning all the various branches of the Art Department, as well as corporate members. The BFDG membership covers a diverse range of Art Department skills and experience, working on projects of all budgets, from International to Independent and micro-financed productions, to Feature Films, Shorts, Pilots, Promos, Commercials, TV Film, TV Series and Light Entertainment.

    1h 1m
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Podcasts from the British Film Designers Guild, discussing all things Art Department and Production Design for the UK Film and TV industry.

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